This trio is totally ruined! But wait — in this case, that’s a good thing.
The ruins at Delphi, where the ancient Greeks worshipped the god Apollo, inspired Delphes ($45; part of the Fall 2011 collection), the latest trio to emerge from the House of NARS.
Can you see the resemblance? — how the ruins, and the plants taking them over, influenced this cool-toned trio of sparkling, sheer peach, matte dove gray and frosty sage?
The ruins of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in Greece
“Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is perfect for a deep aubergine lip to complement the softer colors of the Trio Eyeshadow.”
–Francois Nars
A few notes about the shades…
- Sparkling Peach — This shade really shines thanks to large pieces of silver glitter, but I have to proceed with caution; otherwise, it ends up in my brows and on my cheeks. With Sparkling Peach, I get better results when I use firm, flat eyeshadow brushes than I get from brushes with softer bristles, and I keep my eye makeup remover close at hand to clean up any fallout.
- Dove Gray — This matte shadow works wonderfully as a liner when I’m in the mood for a softer alternative to black or brown. It should apply fairly smoothly on lighter and medium skin tones, but it might look chalky on ladies much darker than I am.
- Frosted Sage — Despite being intensely pigmented, a super smooth texture makes Frosted Sage a cinch to apply and blend. It’s my favorite of the trio’s three shades, for sure.
Swatches atop NARS Smudge-proof Eye Primer
Additional NARS Fall 2011 makeup worn in the look: rose side of Grand Palais Eyeshadow Duo ($33) on cheeks and Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil ($24) on lips
A quick switch of lipstick gives the look a totally different feel; that’s NARS Montego Bay Pure Patte Lipstick ($25), also from Fall 2011
Even though I feel like the colors in Delphes are a touch too cool for my warm tan, I love the colors and the inspiration behind them. If you like the way you look in cool-toned gray, peach and green, and you can work around some minor fallout, this trio just might be worth the $45 investment.
PRICE: $45
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon to NARS counters and online July 15
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Best part of my afternoon…
…was creating a new Pandora station for the singer, Adele, and Pandora has so far suggested a bunch of great songs from other artists, too, like Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones, Colbie Caillat, Corinne Bailey Rae and Feist. It’s my new “light rock by lady artists” channel. 🙂
Don’t you love it when a new Pandora station really works out?
So catchy!
What have you been listening to lately? My ears are hungry for new music!
For more on the NARS Fall 2011 collection…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jessi says
I’ll just live vicariously through you because that purple lippie would look… not so good on me. I’m kinda diggin’ the trio, though. I didn’t pick up the last one because I have a lot of similar colors, but I’m liking this one.
Karen says
Aww, you could do the dark purple lip!
Brooke says
Oooh the green is gorgeous!
On a random note: Love your earrings! 🙂
Karen says
Thanks! They are the Double Feather Earrings by a designer called Kris Nations. Here’s her website: http://www.krisnations.com/
Brooke says
Thanks! 🙂
Heidi says
My latest favorite music is Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Great stuff! I also really enjoy Ingrid Michaelsen.
This shadow trio is really nice and I too love the inspiration behind it.
Karen says
I think I just heard an Ingrid Michaelsen song a few tunes back (still listening to the station).
Adding Grace Potter & The Nocturnals to my “to listen to” music list. 🙂
Sonya says
I adore this trio! So soft and romantic. I also love the dark lip with the subtle shades – I wouldn’t think to put the two together, but it looks great!
Karen says
You know, I would’ve have either. I do love the contrast looks though, and plan on trying it with more combos in the future. 🙂
Julie says
Another stunning lookf for you! I would never have thought of that eyeshadow & lip combo but will definitely try it out too see if I can make it work on my pale skin.
Thanks for providing an alternative to all the ‘natural/nude/no-makeup’ looks all the other beauty bloggers are doing at the moment due to Summer.
Karen says
Hi Julie,
This combo would look amazing on you — really dramatic!
Jamie says
I like how you worked it though…the dark lip is giving me life!
Karen says
Thanks! I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first, but now I really like it. 🙂
KSlone says
On a completely non-Nars related note: I received my Bloggers Obsession haul today? EvRev is beyond stunning! I’m going to have to get a second one. Thank you for creating such a beautiful shade.
Karen says
KSlone!!! I’m so stoked that you like it enough to snag a second tube. Have you seen it in the sunlight yet? The sparkles look amazing when the light hits it.
KSlone says
YES! I even loved how the glitter stayed on my hand when I wiped the swatch of. They were so pretty that even the leftove residue made me smile. This is a true staple that EVERYONE can wear! I have drawers full of every lip color under the sun(well, almost every color:p) imjust want to sit and play with them all with EvRev!
All of the lovely blogging ladies did an amazing job, but EvRev is definately one of the most versatile glosses i have seen! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
Patty says
Ooooh girl. You need to get up on some Regina Spektor if you like all those ladies. “On The Radio” was my I’m-18-and-ready-to-take-on-the-world anthem and I think you’ll love it!
Karen says
Noted! I’ll add her to my list. 😀
Ariel says
LOVE this trio. I think peach, olive, and gray are such wonderful colors for autumn.
Karen says
Me too, especially on cool-toned skin.
Jennifer says
Oh Karen, Train Bleu Velvet Matte Lip Pencil is s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g on you! You should wear it more often, maybe date night with El Hub 😉
Karen says
That’s a good idea! I should make that boy take me out to dinner, LOL!
Hope you’re having a lovely Wednesday!
Candace says
I had just about convinced myself I didn’t absolutely *NEED* Delphes… but the comparison pictures with the actual ruins sent me over the edge! MUST. HAVE!
Karen says
Do it, babe! 😀
Advah says
That green is a leetle bit more intense on the skin than I expected, but I bet it’d look gorgeous with some Evolution Revolution sparkle on the lips! That peach colour is stunning though! It looks like rocks with chunks of mica in the water. (hmm, I’m very inspired for an early morning)
PS: beautiful earrings!
Karen says
Thanks! They were a gift from my mum. They’re by Kris Nations — here’s her website, just in case you wanna look around. Lots of really pretty pieces!
http://www.krisnations.com/
Vonvon says
This palette is so pretty especially the sage shade!! And now I want this too in addition to Outremer.
Love both looks you did with the different lipsticks, but maintaining the same eye look.:)
Karen says
The sage shade is bananas!
Kim says
This is such an awesome dramatic look for you! I’m sure you’re right about it being a bit too cool, but from these pics, I think you look great. I’ll bet not too many people could rock that lip color either (like me, for instance) but it is fabulous on you! 🙂
Funny that you mentioned Adele. I love Rolling in the Deep and downloaded it the other day because one of my boys likes to belt it out (which just makes me giggle, esp since he’s so serious about it). I haven’t heard any of her other stuff, though. I’m in a bit of a musical lull myself. If it’s not on standard FM radio, I’m not hearing it.
Karen says
I can’t think of that song without thinking of “Rolling in the sheep.”
Kim says
HAHA! I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I had to google it to see what the heck it meant. I’m clearly not up on my British slang, which makes me hang my head as a BBC fan. 🙂
Natalie says
Karen! I can’t listen to that song now without singing “rolling in the sheep”! You’ve ruined it for me! Just kidding! On a completely unrelated note, I got my EvRev today and I LOVE it! I’ve never bought a backup of any cosmetic but I’m thinking I may just need to get one (or more!) of this. 🙂
Mary says
That purple lip color is so daring and gorgeous! You pull it off so well.
Karen says
It’s kind of crazy, but I love it!
Nina says
this might be a tad too cool for my skintone — but that green is lovely!
Karen says
I feel the same way. The green’s gorgeous, though!
Nina says
it is! lovelove it!
Chris25 says
I love your earrings, Karen! Where did you get them?
Music-wise, Miles Davis and I have been hanging out a lot. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Chris,
Thanks! They’re the Double Feather Earrings by Kris Nations.
Rachel says
Check out Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis, Angus & Julia Stone, Alexi Murdoch and Laura Marling
Larie says
Those dark purple lips are fierce, Karen! Love it.
NeenaJ says
That first pic of you is gorgeous! As in: Doesn’t Karen star in True Blood?!? Gorgeous!
I can never hear that Feist song without thinking of her Sesame Street version, which both my toddler and I lurve: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ9WiuJPnNA
I grew up with the Street and still think they and the Muppets are beyond cool.
For musical inspiration, I listen to college radio. Most stations are online now with posted schedules so you can pick programs you think you’ll like. Vanderbilt’s station is phenomenal: http://www.wrvu.org
lexi says
I have a feeling that this NARS Fall collection will not do well on my warm NC42 skin. It’s a shame.
Have you checked out the I Listen To Everything blog? That’s a great one I discovered and I also found a lot of new artists/tracks.
maxi says
just loving the green shade !
Megan says
I am reeeeaally diggin’ that Train Bleu lip pencil! I’ve been wanting to try out a deep purple-ish color and that just looks great. It looks really nice on you, too. It might look a bit goth paire with my paleness + dark hair but hey, that doesn’t bother me! 😀
jenn s. says
I have a feeling that as beautiful as the sage shadow is, it would look horrible on my blue eyes. Your lips are killin’ it! Love that look on you!
Kellie says
Karen,
That combo looks amazing on your gorgeous skin. Do you think a very pale lady could pull this off? I LOVE the lip color…..but I am scared it would look too goth on me. Part of me doesn’t care 🙂
Maribeth says
Oh goodness, another must have for me. I love this trio. Your lippie looks great on you! Thanks for your reviews. Your blog is the best. As for the Fall NARS Collection I’m in love with all of it and will have to volunteer for more on call hours (I’m a RN) to save for this….oh well a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do…
Petra says
Wow Karen, don’T know if you’ll be reading this (i’ve been catching up on your posts), but I just had to comment on that eyeshadow and dark lipcombo look: you look so stunning! (and I love Feist and Norah Jones :))
I have a softspot for these shades anyways, and they look amazing combined.
Melody says
I like the sage color the best. And that matte pencil is serious! I really love vampy lips so I might have to check that out.
Ditte Karolussen says
The Swedish singer Lykke Li’s newest album wounded rhymes rocks! 🙂